Thu, 02 Jul 2026 17:02:29 -0700WeeblySat, 14 Jun 2014 01:26:49 GMThttps://www.ethicalleadership.org/cultivating-the-next-generation-of-native-american-leaders-lummi-cedar-project-washington/cultivating-the-next-generation-of-native-american-leaders-lummi-cedar-project-washingtonCollective Leadership Principle Learned: How to let go and allow leadership succession to take place in a culturally appropriate way in a Native American community-based organization.

Collective Leadership Principle Learned: How to let go and allow leadership succession to take place in a culturally appropriate way in a Native American community-based organization.

Outcome: Formed inter-generational partnerships to cultivate next generation of Native American leaders who are stepping up to help community through such issues as safety and restorative justice.

Lummi CEDAR Project, located at the Lummi Indian Reservation in Bellingham, Washington, helps young people engage in leadership opportunities and get involved in their community. They promote collective leadership across generations to advance individual and community well-being. The Lummi Nation is part of the Coast Salish people. They have endured generations of discrimination and are working to create a more just and healthy future for the community.

How do they support young people?
The Lummi CEDAR Project believes that Native American values and traditions that have existed for generations can be used as tools to rebuild the community. Elders carry the community's schelangen–the Lummi way of life–and youth carry the Tribe's future and dreams. By connecting the generations – uniting the wisdom of the elders with the dreams of the youth – they are creating a renewed capacity to work together on changes that will strengthen the community. These youth-adult partnerships are working on projects in the community. They are educating the community through their Safe Streets Project. Too many young people were being hurt or killed in traffic accidents or through substance abuse. Safe Streets helps people feel safe and valued in their environment or community.

They are also working on helping tribal agencies implement a restorative justice model that helps young offenders and community members restore the wholeness of community while holding the offender accountable. They are doing this by learning to use the circles process from Roca, Inc., in Chelsea, MA.

Creating collective leadership capacity.
Community-based organizations often struggle through leadership transitions. Culture affects the way people have conversations about different perspectives. The Lummi CEDAR Project ultimately learned how to let go and allow leadership succession to take place in a culturally appropriate way. The result was that young Native American leaders emerged to collectively hold the stewardship of this organization with the elders in the community.
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